The greatest career move? Walking away from what isn't working

A career pivot that sparked new beginnings

Rewinding the clock to the start of her career, Carolina trained as a software engineer, taking her first steps as a programmer. At first, the work was engaging, but a transition into project management soon left her feeling restless. “I absolutely hated project management,” she admits with a smile. The structured, managerial duties drained her energy, and Carolina decided to take a pause to reassess her direction.

It was during her parental leave, with her second child just a year old, that she began mapping out her next steps. “I had three months to figure out what I wanted to do,” she recalls. A chance opportunity emerged in the form of a QA Tester and Technical Writer role at Signicat. To some, it might have looked like a step down, but for Carolina, it was a deliberate move toward clarity. “I didn’t see it as a demotion. I saw it as a chance to explore something new and decide what really made me happy.” This open-minded leap into the unknown eventually opened doors to a career she truly loves.

Crafting a role that fits

Carolina’s early days at Signicat were filled with hands-on learning. From QA testing and technical writing to helping organise development processes in tools like Jira, her initiative stood out. “When I joined, we weren’t using Jira in an organised way. I helped set things up and began shaping requirements for a new product, Assure,” she explains.

Her versatility didn’t go unnoticed. Carolina’s responsibilities expanded organically, laying the foundation for her eventual roles as a Scrum Master and, later, a Product Owner. Though she initially battled impostor syndrome, taking on more responsibility helped her realise her capabilities. “At first, I felt like an impostor,” she says. “But then I realised I had been doing so much of the work already. Taking on the title was just the next logical step,” she reflects.

Finding fulfilment in product ownership

Today, Carolina is thriving as a Product Owner, working on Signicat’s identity verification products. She takes pride in having built something from scratch and becoming a subject-matter expert in her field. “I love that I own the product I helped build. Knowing that what we create solves real problems for our customers feels incredibly rewarding.”

Her passion for the role is driven by the balance of innovation, problem-solving, and teamwork. “I love working with the development team to make ideas come to life. It’s not always easy balancing innovation with maintaining older features, but when it all comes together, it’s completely worth it.”

The role of honesty and personal growth

If there’s one value that defines Carolina, it’s honesty. “I’m a very honest person, maybe too honest!” she says with a laugh. But this quality has been an asset rather than a flaw. Openness with colleagues and managers has strengthened relationships and enabled her to address challenges head-on.

Carolina also credits Signicat’s supportive culture for fostering her growth. "One of the reasons I’ve grown so much here is the supportive environment at Signicat—your time and contributions are respected, and the balance it encourages makes you feel heard and valued."

Carolina’s simple and unique approach to staying organised

She describes herself as “very disorganised,” but you’d never guess it from the system she’s created. Over time, she’s fine-tuned her methods to the point where it’s clear she’s actually highly organised—just in her own unique way. At the core of her process is her trusty trio: pen, paper, and a collection of colour-coded post-its she carries everywhere. Tasks are colour-coded and carefully mapped out, with each note serving a specific purpose, whether for urgent team priorities or longer-term planning.

She also leans on Slack reminders to keep track of things, though she jokes about her “99+ in progress” list. And when it comes to emails, her system is rock solid. Carolina keeps her inbox impeccably clean, with rules in place to file and prioritise messages, making sure nothing slips through the cracks. Over the years, she’s tried different tools for organisation but found they often take too much time. For her, simplicity is key, and there’s something about the tactile satisfaction of pen and paper that just works. Her approach proves that organisation doesn’t have to be high-tech to be highly effective.

Carolina’s system is proof that staying organised doesn’t have to be complicated or high-tech to be incredibly effective.

Women in tech and overcoming challenges

Carolina’s path as a woman in technology has been shaped by resilience and a focus on self-worth. When asked what advice she’d give to women starting out in tech, she says this firmly, “Don’t think of yourself as a woman in the workplace. Think of yourself as a person. Focus on your skills and the value you bring.”

She understands that it’s not always easy and acknowledges the challenges women often face in male-dominated industries. But her focus remains on what’s within her control. “It’s about knowing what you bring to the table and not letting anything undermine that.”

Balancing work and life

Outside of work, Carolina’s life is a mix of family, hobbies, and self-care. Her mornings are filled with the chaos of getting her two young children ready for school, followed by a workday full of tasks and dynamism.

One recent addition to her routine has been a game-changer. “About two years ago, I started working out, and it’s made a huge difference in my life. It’s not just about physical health; it improves my mental well-being and helps keep my anxiety at bay,” she explains.

In her downtime, Carolina loves playing board games with friends. “It’s such a fun way to connect, laugh, and unwind from the week,” she says. 

For her, small organisational habits and a commitment to priorities are key for balancing life and work. Her advice? “Get everything out of your head and into a system. Whether it’s a notebook or Slack reminders, having that structure frees you up to focus on what really matters.”

A future full of opportunity

Looking back, Carolina couldn’t be happier with where she’s landed. “Six years ago, I didn’t know this kind of role existed, but it’s exactly where I want to be. Every day, I wake up excited to do work I love.”

Her story is a reminder that sometimes, the most fulfilling paths come from taking risks, staying true to your values, trusting your instincts, and remaining open to growth. Carolina’s commitment to learning, passion for her work, and honesty with herself and others have shaped her into the thriving Product Owner she is today.

For anyone considering a career change or facing uncertainty, she offers one final piece of wisdom. “It’s okay to not have it all figured out right away. Sometimes, the most fulfilling opportunities come from taking risks and staying open to growth.”